Newbie looking for electrical advice

Rockstarr129 · Sep 24, 2019

Hi everyone. First-time poster trying to get opinions. I'm by no means educated with the lingo and will try to explain everything to the best of my knowledge. I currently do maintenance at a drink restaurant and well been having issues with our ice machine GFI outlet. Before I replace the part to see if that's the problem I wanted to see what you guys think. So I was told it the ice maker shuts off occasionally but not every day. when it happens, then just reset the breaker after a few minutes and it seems to work again. The manager thinks water from condensation GFI causing it the trip. I've attached an image for you guys to better understand the location. Also when this happens some equipment to the left of it the ice maker seems to stop working, as if theres other outlets connected. But looking at the picture, it appears the ice maker is on its own separate line. The other manager believes its the ground GFI thats marked on the page thats getting wet causing it to trip. It is closed off. Any opinions or suggestions would help. I know calling an electrician would be the easiest but I just want to see if this is something simple or common before doing so. Thank you so much.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Newbie looking for electrical advice

plugsandsparks · Sep 24, 2019

try icemaker in another outlet , this may point either to the gfi or the icemaker

Carl S · Sep 25, 2019

Given American’s litigation culture and the fact the location is a commercial work area, get a licensed electrician in.

Deleted member 105166 · Sep 25, 2019

You should be able to narrow it down to the machine, the circuit or the environment by process of elimination. If the circuit is shared, it could be a cumulative leakage issue, so test with and without other appliances simultaneously.

littlespark · Sep 25, 2019

Try other things in the outlet and see if it trips.

My money is on faulty ice maker.

Has it been cleaned regularly? There’s a drain in these things and if it’s blocked, the water backs up and can spill over onto the workings.

Lou · Sep 25, 2019

@Megawatt any ideas?

Megawatt · Sep 25, 2019

Lou said:
@Megawatt any ideas?

@Rockstar are you saying that when the ice maker trips the GFCI receptacle that others quit working also. When GFCI’s trip numerous times they can go bad and start nusince tripping. Commercial kitchens requires GFCI receptacles but with appliances they have to have isolated circuits with no other loads on them
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Megawatt said:
@Rockstar are you saying that when the ice maker trips the GFCI receptacle that others quit working also. When GFCI’s trip numerous times they can go bad and start nusince tripping. Commercial kitchens requires GFCI receptacles but with appliances they have to have isolated circuits with no other loads on them

Don’t tell your manger but I highly doubt that condensation is the problem every GFCI in that kitchen that has appliances must be isolated circuits
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Rockstarr129 said:
Hi everyone. First-time poster trying to get opinions. I'm by no means educated with the lingo and will try to explain everything to the best of my knowledge. I currently do maintenance at a drink restaurant and well been having issues with our ice machine GFI outlet. Before I replace the part to see if that's the problem I wanted to see what you guys think. So I was told it the ice maker shuts off occasionally but not every day. when it happens, then just reset the breaker after a few minutes and it seems to work again. The manager thinks water from condensation GFI causing it the trip. I've attached an image for you guys to better understand the location. Also when this happens some equipment to the left of it the ice maker seems to stop working, as if theres other outlets connected. But looking at the picture, it appears the ice maker is on its own separate line. The other manager believes its the ground GFI thats marked on the page thats getting wet causing it to trip. It is closed off. Any opinions or suggestions would help. I know calling an electrician would be the easiest but I just want to see if this is something simple or common before doing so. Thank you so much.

View attachment 52542

Your drawing shows that the ice maker is on its own circuit panel PA breaker # 8. I hate to say this but some electricians can’t stick their finger up there butt with out a road map. Once and for all push the test button and make it trip if something else quits working and if that’s so call a license electrician and ask for thier license number. We have big electrical companies that send people on jobs and they have that deer in the headlight look, they can’t read prints they don’t have a clue what their doing and to make it easer on them selfs so they put other loads on.the same circuit and hope it don’t show up

Rockstarr129 · Sep 26, 2019

Thank you so much guys. I greatly appreciate your help. I will talk come to the manager with your advice. I've been on forums before, and it's been hit and miss on postings but in this case, you guys are on top of things.